Monday, July 30, 2012

Yesterday was our second 5th Sunday of 2012.
At Beach Cities Christian Fellowship where I pastor, yesterday we gathered for
worship outside. More time and energy went into our Sunday gathering than
normal. We certainly spent more money as we threw a Neighborhood Cook-Out which
featured: free food, live music from local singer/songwriters, two jump houses
and crafts for kids.

This 5th Sunday was an amazing day filled with good
times and great music. We spent hours sharing life with neighbors and friends,
many of whom we hadn’t previously met. The giggles from children bouncing and
running brought smiles to everyone’s face. We couldn’t have asked for a better
day in the Beach Cities.

What does
5th Sunday mean?
On the months with five Sundays rather than meet in the Church Sanctuary we
meet outside to Worship through Action.

At Beach Cities Christian Fellowship when we look at the life
Jesus lead and how he
instructed his followers, we see a call to care for others and not be hung up
on ourselves. When looking at our own lives, we understand that with Jesus we
can find great joy in coming alongside others and serving together. That is why
we make space in our lives to be involved in serving the needs around us.

5th
Sundays can consist of: picking up trash around the neighborhood, making
sandwiches for a local homeless shelter or helping a neighbor with their yard,
cleaning up around the pier, or helping out at a retirement community. With
endless possibilities, 5th Sundays are a great way to connect with others and
celebrate God, who cares about his people and his creation!

Worship
through Action.
Often we worship the living God in the same way week after week, day after day.
In our self-absorbed, self-seeking, self-gratifying culture it truly is counter
cultural to intentionally set time out for others. Even within the Church, it can seem odd for us to not practice our “normal” worship for the purpose of loving others
as God has loved us.

In Matthew ch 22 Christ is asked what the greatest commandment is. He responds by saying "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And the second is like it, love your neighbor as your self."

This is what it means for us at Beach Cities to Worship through
Action on the 5th Sundays. We are saying to one another, our guests, and our neighbors – that outward service and worship is vital to who we are. We are saying to our culture – we worship a
living God who is involved in our lives and theirs. We are the hands and feet
of Christ in the Twenty-first Century.
How are we as the body of Christ
reaching out and loving the poor, the broken, the homeless, and the
disenfranchised?

At Beach Cities Christian Fellowship we are intentionally creating space where we Worship through Action – as we step outside the walls of the Sanctuary
and bring Glory to God through our active faith.

There is no “hint” of sarcasm, bewilderment, annoyance when
the people ask:

Where did he
get this power?

Isn’t this
the Carpenter?

Text says: because of their unbelief, Jesus couldn’t do any
miracles among them

Except… heal
a few people

vOver the past few chapters, we – along with the disciples,
have seen Jesus’ complete authority.

§He has power to do
unbelievable things…

¨Calm storms, heal, bring to life, overcome Satan.

vBut here, among his people, he could do nothing.

ØBecause they had “unbelief”

ØBecause they had unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles

ØBut you might say: why was he able to cast out the demon?

§Because the demon believed!

Mark 5:6 6 When Jesus was still some distance away,
the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him.7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you
interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg
you, don’t torture me!”

vJesus has power over Satan,

vJesus has power over
nature,

vJesus has power over
sickness and death.

vBut Jesus doesn’t have power over “unbelief”???

Mark 6:5-6 because
of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his
hands on a few sick people and heal them.6 And he was amazed at their unbelief

vDoes Jesus truly have “NO” power in Nazareth?

ØCan the Holy, Living God do nothing over “unbelief”?

vOr does he choose not to?

vDoes God choose to
give us a choice…

vBased upon our
experiences, our history, our ability to reason, the scriptures we have before
us…

ØDoes God want us to use these, and believe?

From the beginning of time, God has given us Free-Will

ØWe have a choice.

ØWe have the
opportunity to respond.

ØWill respond in belief?

vJesus goes on from this discussion about his hometown to send
the disciples out.

§He tells them to go
out in twos.

§Take nothing with you

§Rely upon the
provisions of God

§And if people don’t
listen, to dust off their feet.

·Don’t worry about it…
move on.

ØJesus sent them with
power & a message

oHe sent &
empowered them to cast out demons & heal

oHe sent them with
this message: REPENT.

vHe wants us to repent.

vHe wants us to call others to repent!

Repentance has always been part of God’s plan.

God always grants forgiveness when there is repentance

vGod wants us, his creation, to turn to him.

vGod wants us to turn
from our selfish ways, and towards him.

vHe wants the ones he loves to choose his path, His ways.

ØHe will not make us
believe.

ØHE gives us the choice to live in unbelief, or to turn to him
and believe.

vWe have a choice.

vWe have an
opportunity to respond.

vWill you respond in belief?

vThis morning: Do you need to Repent?

ØAre there things in your life which aren’t right?

ØAre there relationships which need mending?

ØDo you need to make a 180 from self-centeredness and turn to
God?

vThis morning: Do you need to be empowered by your belief in
the saving grace of God?

·You must choose.
Choose God! Repent.

·You must call others
to Repent!

·Light the way for
others to turn from their selfish ways, and into the ways of the Living God.

§Jesus responds: “Daughter, your faith has made you well, Go
in Peace. Your suffering is over.”

Jairus’ daughter

vJairus is watching
his daughter die.

vHe hears of Jesus and
runs to him

§He pleads with him to
come and save his daughter

§Vs 22-23 “He
fell @ Jesus’ feet and begged him repeatedly: “come and lay your hands on her
so she may be made well and live!”

vBefore Jesus gets to
their house, the girl has died.

§Vs 39 “The child is
not dead, but sleeping.”

§They all “laugh” at
him.

vHe goes inside, takes
her by the hand and says:

Ø“Little
girl, get up!”

§Immediately the girl got up and began to walk about.

Jesus

vJesus is not afraid of our imperfections.

ØThe Women is “hemorrhaging” for 12 yrs

ØThe girl is dead

§Both are Ceremonial
Unclean

§But Jesus doesn’t
care!

·The women – Leviticus
15:19-33

·The girl – Numbers
19:11-13

§Jesus Embraces both.

§Jesus reaches out
with a touch of compassion

§Jesus heals the “socially impossible”

vWhen have you been desperate?

§A Migraine, Cancer, a Test, a court case, the birth of a
child

Jesus
says in John 14:12-13 “I tell you the
truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even
greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.13 You can ask for
anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the
Father.

Question

vToday: Are you Desperate for Jesus?

ØThis morning: are you running to him for his
healing?

ØRight now: Are you fighting your way through the
crowd to touch him?

vAre you desperate for the healing of a loved one?

vAre you desperate for your own healing?

Jesus
says in Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing is impossible

Jesus
says in Luke 18:27: “The things which are impossible with men – are possible
with God.”

Jesus
says in Matthew 11:28“Come to me, all
of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Jesus
says in John 14:12-13 “I tell you the
truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even
greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.13 You can ask for
anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the
Father.

Pray

This
morning, let’s pray the prayer of faith!

Come
to the alter for prayer.

Benediction:
Ephesians 3:14-21

As you Go, in the midst of despair, may you have a
desperate faith for the “one who cares.”

About Me

I’m a husband, father, and friend. At the core of who I am, I love being active; whether it’s riding my scooter, flying kites, or playing at the beach. I believe we must be active - even in our faith! I have a heart for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and inspiring others to do the same. I find joy looking at life from different angles with the freedom to redevelop old and create new space, where the kingdom of God is displayed.